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u hereinafter specified.

UNITED STATES JOHN T. HARTWELL, OF DELPHOS,

PATENT OFFICE.

OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO SECTIONAL LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 342.909, dated June 1,1886.

Application filed August 30, 1884. Serial No. 141,858. (No model.)

1'0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN T. HARTWELL, of Delphos, in the county ofAllen and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Iniprovementinsectional Ladders, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had to theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 representsthree sections, A A A,

in one position for use. Fig. 2 shows in substantially full size eitherend of the upper rung of each section of the ladder, and also the buttonor stop (I at either end thereof; and Fig. 3 shows-in substantially fullsize one end ofthe lower rung, c, ofsaid sections, having the button,shoulder, or stop 0. Fig. 4 is a side view showing the construction ofthe slots.

The object of my invention is to devise a sectional ladder in which thesections may be applied to each other to form an extended straightladder of any length, or in which two or more sections may be applied toeach other at angles to form a step-ladder or a support for scaffolding;and my invention consists in the novel construction and combination ofparts The upper rung, as shown in the drawings, of each section projectsthrough and beyond the side pieces, B, and terminates in a button,shoulder, or stop, d, which is setured to each end-of said rung by ascrew, or in anysnitable manner, the said rung being so extended toreceive the lower ends of the side pieces of the next section to beadded thereto, Which said side pieces of the next section are preventedfrom lateral displacement by the said button or stop d. The lower rung,as showuin the drawings, is provided on the inside and between the sidepiece of the ladder with a shoulder, button, or stop, c,which may befastened to said rung by pins, as shown, or in any convenient man nor.the same being attached to said rung a sufficient distance from. theinside of the respective side pieces so as to hold and slightly bind theupper ends of the side pieces of the adjacent section of the ladder. Theextension of the upper rung, a, of each section on either side of theside pieces thereof should be of a sufficient length, and the button orshoulder 61 should be attached thereto so as to bind slightly the endsofthe side pieces of the next section to be applied at that point. Bothends of both side pieces should be cut out in an oval rather than in arectangular slot, so as to permit of the adjustment of one section ofthe ladder to the other section at an angle thereto.

The rungs of the ladder may be either oval or rectangular, except at thepoints where the side pieces are applied, at which point they arepreferably made round or oval and with out angles. y

I am aware that sectional ladders in which the side pieces of onesection are applied to the rungs of the next section are old, and mypresent invention is limited to the means and manner herein described ofattaching the side pieces of one section to the rungs of the nextsection, either in continuation or at an angle, and of securing them adjustably together.

I disclaim the mortising or gaining of the rung of a sectional ladderfor the purpose of receiving the ends of the side pieces of the adjacentsection, as I am not the first inventor thereof.

I claim-- A sectional ladder in which the side pieces of one section areapplied by a slot in the end of said side pieces to the rung of the nextsection, and are adjustably secured there by the buttons or shoulders cand 11, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

.TNO. T. HARTl/VELL.

Witnesses:

J. H. RAYMOND, G. H. T. Mason.

